SOCHI, Russia (PNN) - October 5, 2023 - During a speech made by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Valdai International Discussion Club, he said, “The power of the United States and its allies reached its peak at the end of the 20th Century; but there has never been, nor will there ever be, a force capable of ruling the world, dictating to everyone how to act, how to live, even how to breathe.”
“Such attempts have been made, but every one of them has failed,” said President Putin. “However, we must recognize that many found that so-called liberal world order acceptable and even convenient.”
“True, a hierarchy severely limits opportunities for those not perched at the top of the pyramid, or if you prefer, the top of the food chain; but those at the bottom were relieved of responsibility,” said President Putin.
“The rules were simple: accept the terms, fit into the system, receive your share, however modest, and be content. Others would think and decide for you,” said President Putin. “No matter what anyone says now, no matter how some try to disguise the reality - that is how it was. The experts gathered here remember and understand this perfectly well.”
“Some, in their arrogance, saw themselves entitled to lecture the rest of the world, said President Putin. “Others were content to play along with the powerful as obedient bargaining chips, eager to avoid unnecessary trouble in exchange for a modest but guaranteed bonus. There are still many such politicians in the old part of the world, in Europe.”
“Those who dared object and tried to defend their own interests, rights and views were at best dismissed as eccentrics,” said President Putin. “They were told, in effect, ‘You will not succeed, so give up and accept that compared to our power, you are a nonentity.’ As for the truly stubborn, they were educated by the self-proclaimed global leaders, who no longer even bothered to hide their intent. The message was clear: resistance was pointless; but this did not bring anything good. Not a single global problem was resolved.”
“On the contrary, new ones are constantly multiplying,” said President Putin. “Institutions of global governance created in an earlier era either ceased to function or lost much of their effectiveness. No matter how much strength or resources one state - or even a group of states - may accumulate, power always has limits.”
“As the Russian audience knows, there is a saying in Russia. ‘There’s no counter to a crowbar, except another crowbar,’ meaning you don’t bring a knife to a gunfight, but another gun,” said President Putin. “Indeed, that other gun can always be found. This is the very essence of world affairs: a counterforce always emerges.”
“Attempts to control everything inevitably generate tension, undermining stability at home and prompting ordinary people to ask a very fair question of their governments, ‘Why do we need all this?’ I once heard something similar from our (Amerikan) colleagues, who said, ‘We gained the whole world, but lost (Amerika).’ I can only ask, Was it worth it? Did you truly gain anything at all?”